May

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31030200

Northern PikeGood · 65Largemouth BassAverage · 47Yellow PerchAverage · 30

A 65-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1972.

Fish Species (3)

Northern Pike

Good · 65

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.58 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1972	3.00	-	3.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1972	0.50	-	5.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 47

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1972	2.50	-	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 15, 1972	2.00	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 30

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1972

Last surveyed 1972 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–23.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1972	1.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Biologist Notes

August 15, 1972(were plntd. No pblc access. Only way to lk (is through the Harris prprty on SE shr or Srf (prprty on S shr. Fsh can mgrt into this area (if wtr is hg…

(were plntd. No pblc access. Only way to lk (is through the Harris prprty on SE shr or Srf (prprty on S shr. Fsh can mgrt into this area (if wtr is hgh in sprng. Otlt area-sml & in (in bog area. Prst Fsh Pop Status: The only thing of any sign. we cght were NP & Bass & no great quantity of either. Bass-apprntly spwnd in lk but No.-sm size

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in May?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in May. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at May?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for May. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is May?

May has a maximum depth of 15 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in May last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in May is from 1972. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does May have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for May in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on May?

No — May has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.